Machine for equipment of tea bags with a tag and a holding thread

ABSTRACT

A machine for equipping of tea bags with a tag and a holding string which comprises devices operating in the machine cycle for feeding filled, bags and bag material, respectively, and tags into the machine, and for removal of the finished bags from the machine. A path closed on itself is provided for transportation of the finished tea bags through a plurality of individual working stations. A transportion disc provides the path. A holding clamp is arranged for each of the working stations on the transportation disc, and means are provided for controlling opening and closing movements of the holding clamp within the cycle of the machine. The holding clamp has two arms. One of the arms has a pocket for the reception of the tag equipped with a thread. The other of the arms has a slot with a thread holder. A transportation lever is also provided, which slides in the tag, equipped with the holding thread, in one of the stations, along a guide, into the pocket such that one end of the thread is such, by the slot.

Klar

[451 Nov. 27, 1973 MACHINE FOR EQUIPMENT OF TEA BAGS WITH A TAG AND A HOLDING THREAD [76] Inventor: Paul Gerhard Klar, 8992 Wasserburg, Creme?! 2- [22] Filed: June 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 149,641

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 3, 1970 Germany P 20 27 167.4 Jan. 5, 1971 Germany P 21 00 317.8 May 4, 1971 Germany P 21 21 892.8

[52] US. Cl. 53/134, 53/232 [51] Int. Cl... B65b 29/04, B65b 11/18, B651: 49/00 [58] Field of Search 53/14, 134, 232

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS R20,881 10/1938 Rambold 53/134 X 2,457,216 12/1948 Eaton et al. 53/134 X 2,913,860 1l/1959 Irmscher 53/134 X 3,566,573 3/1971 Irrnscher 53/134 X Primary Examiner-Robert L. Spruill Att0rneyErnest G. Montague [5 7 ABSTRACT v movements of the holding clamp within the cycle of the machine. The holding clamp has two arms. One of the arms has a pocket for the reception of the tag equipped with a thread. The other of the arms has a slot with a thread holder. A transportation lever is also provided, which slides in the tag, equipped with the holding thread, in one of the stations, along a guide, into the pocket such that one end of the thread is such, by the slot.

22 Claims, 47 Drawing Figures PATENTEuunvzmra 3.774.369

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' SHEET CBUF 13 PATENTED. "121 :5175 3,774,369

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SHEET 100? 13 MACHINE FOR EQUIPMENT OF TEA BAGS WITH A TAG AND A HOLDING THREAD The present invention relates to a machine for equipment of tea bags with a tag and a holding thread, whereby devices operating within the machine cycle are provided for feeding of the filled bags and of the bag material, respectively, and of the tags into the machine, as well as for the mover of the finished bags from the machine, whereby the transportation of the finished goods to be produced takes place by the individual working stations in a return path, preferably on a transportation disc.

In such machines, the problem resides in the fact to coordinate the multifold functions in a machine unit, so that the expenditure for the production and operation of the machine stands in a satisfactory ratio to the obtainable injection output.

In order to comply with this basic requirement, a plurality of embodiments of machines of the above stated type has been proposed, which with respect to the formation of the individual working units, are distinguished over each other. In principle, these machines have one or a plurality of rotating transportation'discs, on which the working stations are provided, and

thereby under circumstances, transfer elements are provided, which further lead the work piece from one transportation disc to the next.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a machine for equipping of tea bags with a tag and a holding thread, obtaining the formation of the machine of the above-stated type, in which, however, the number of individual units and their member of movements is reduced in comparison with the known machines,

and whereby also the production path traversed by the work piece is shorter and is more favourable, respectively. The product should have nevertheless characteristics required in more recent times: thus in particular the holding thread should be spun about the bag, and the tag and the latter should be easily removable with the bag. Furthermore it is desired to work single bags with sealed edges, as well as double chamber folding bags with a folded closure without abandoning the basic principle of the production. Finally the principle of functioning of the machine should be suitable, also, for multiple machines, thus for duplex-, triplexmachines etc.

In addition it is another object of the present invention to provide a machine for equipping of tea bags with a tag and a holding thread, wherein the individual units in the working stations, as well as the transportation path is designed such, that for certain working processes, which require in known machines individual working stations with holding times, no stations are necessary any longer or that in accordancewith a possibility in one station, several functions are performed, so that for the benefit of a short transportation path, only a few working stations are required for the performance of the production program.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a machine for equipping of tea bags with a tag and a holding thread wherein in a machine of the above-stated type, for each working station of the transportation disc, a holding clamp is provided, the opening and closing-movements of which are controllable in the rhythm of the machine, and wherein one arm has a pocket for the reception of a tag equipped with a thread, while the other arm is equipped with a resilient or controlled spring holder, and that a transportation lever is provided which slides the tag which is equipped in the first station with a holding thread along a guide into the pocket such that the end of the thread is caught by the slot.

The design in accordance with the present invention and the arrangement of the holding clamps provides the possibility, to arrange during the total producing process in the individual working stations' the label equipped with the thread in station I, as well as the free thread end into the individual working steps at the right point of time and in the suitable position, without reto a closing movement of the clamping arms, the thread is wound around the bag. Furthermore in accordance with the present invention in the second station for sliding in of the filled and closed flat bag between the holding clamping arms, a guide chamber containing the bag which is radially movable towards the transportation disc is provided. One side wall of the guide chamber which projects over the bag such, that the thread is pulled in V-shaped. In this case it is suitable, to provide controlled holding tongs, which tongs upon pulling out of the guide chamber, retain the bag with the thread swung thereover, while the tag remains in the pocket. By this arrangement, the guide chamber can be removed very quickly.

The arrangement and design of the production means resulting from the above proposals permits recognition that in the first and second station more than two working steps are performed, so that in these two stations already essential preparing functions for the equipment of the bag with thread and tag can be performed in the desired manner.

Since the most important functioning units of the machine are arranged on the transportation disc, a structure results in which the individual parts are accessible from all sides, which is of great advantage for the servicing of the machine. Furthermore, by the extension of the driving-and Control-shafts, multiple units disposed behind each other can be formed. In this respect it is still to be mentioned, that upon abandonment of a multiple arrangement, different structural parts of the machine can still be further simplified.

For the completion of the described machine, it is desirable, that an additional unit be connected, which receives the bags equipped with a thread and a tag from the machine and arranges wrapping there around.

This object is obtained such that, following the bag removing-station, guide means are provided, which receives the removed bags within the working cycle of the bag machine, aimed and in the movement range of which, for wrapping around the bag, a separable foil strip is inserted into the transportation channel, in which the bag can slide in crosswise, so that the foil strip is wound Ushaped around the bag, and that a transportation element is provided, which engages the one part of the u"-like shaped wound wrapping to the bag, and following the bag is passed through a guide split, so that the other part of the wrapping, likewise can be engaged, whereupon the wrapping reaches the closing device, which for example can consist of knurled wheels.

By the means designed in accordance with the present invention it is brought about, that the total'wrapping process runs in a single device, in which the tinished bag is inserted and, without transferringto other stations, to be removed finally wrapped again, whereby even at the highest speed, an exact maintenance of the producing steps is assured.

The provided means in accordance with the present invention for the cross guidance of the bag into the wrapping foil and for the performance of the wrapping process, not only provides the requirement of a steady forced holding of the bag, rather provide still another advantage, that the bag stands always on its head. This is of advantage for the distribution of the contents of the bag, in particular, in view of the end wrapping.

For reasons of a better handling of the tea bag, it is of advantage to provide a holding thread which is extended at least for the tag length. This is brought about, in accordance with the present invention, by an additional device, in which at the end of the guide path for the tag and in front of the holding clamp, a device is provided, into which the tag with the thread can slide in and which causes a rotation of the tag, so that the thread winds in accordance with the rotary angle about the tag, whereby a controlled cam is provided, which slides the tag thereafter into the holding clamp. This device comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a rotary head, which is connected with a shaft, which for instance reciprocates in a rotary movement by a cam disc within the machine cycle over a predetermined rotary angle, for example, about 90.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention, which is shown by example only, will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation indicating the working stations;

FIGS. 2, 2a and 2b are schematic elevation of the tag holder and thread guide in different operating positions;

FIG. 3 is an elevation of the head member of the holding clamp in cross section (thread holder);

FIGS. 4, 4a and 4b indicate means for gripping the bag in station II;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the holding tongs for the bag;

FIGS. 6, 6a and 6b show the arrangement for engagement of the thread ends onto the bag;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the finished bag with a tag;

FIG. 8 is a schematic arrangement of the working stations for the production of double chamber bags;

FIG. 9 is an elevation of the form members for the bag head in station III;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the control means of the form members;

FIGS. 11, 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d are perspectives views indicating the individual working steps of the performing process,

FIG. 12 is an elevation of the double chamber bag with the tag;

FIG. 12a is an end elevation thereof;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation of the bag with bentover shoulders;

FIG. 13a is an end view of the bag shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 is a front elevation of the bag with a bentover head member;

FIG. 14a is an end view of the showing in FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is a front elevation of the bag with attached head member;

FIG. 15a is an end view, partly in section, of the bag shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 16 is a schematic elevation of a particularly designed device for winding around of the tag;

FIG. 17 is a top line view of the device shown in FIG. 16, during the attaching process;

FIG. 18 is the device shown in FIG. 16 after the attaching process;

FIGS. 19-22 are schematic showing of the machine during four working steps;

FIG. 23 is a schematic elevation of the transportation element;

FIG. 24 is a schematic elevation of another embodiment of the transporation element;

FIG. 25 is a device for introduction of the wrapping foil;

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the slide frame;

FIG. 27 is a front elevation of the slide frame;

FIG. 28 is another embodiment of the pocket in the slide frame;

FIG. 29 is a device for prefolding the foil; and

FIGS. 30-33 are schematic showings of the device for thread extension indicating the individual functional steps.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, the tag and the bag, respectively, are fed during the production procedure through the stations, I, II, III and IV, whereby in these stations in principle, the following functions, indicated in FIG. 1, are obtained:

In station I, the tag is connected with the holding thread;

In station II, the bag and the bag hose, respectively, are fed;

In station III, the bag is equipped with the thread and the tag;

In station IV, the finished bag is removed.

For the transportation of the goods through the stations there is provided a transportation disc 1, which in conventional manner is turned by means of an intermittent diive (not shown) for example a maltese cross drive, in the direction of the arrow P, about the axis of the shaft 2. The controlor drivingelements, respectively, for the individual functions are disposed behind this disc or a bearing plate arranged in parallel to the disc plane, respectively and are known per se, and for this reason not the subject matter of the present invention. They are merely shown as such, for better understanding of the individual process steps.

The tag strand 6 is removed from the storage rollers 4, by means of a serrated wheel 5 and is moved between the separating knives 7, which separates the individual tags 8 within the cycle of the machine. Above the separating knives 7 there is provided a thread stiching device 9,- and which connects the holding thread 10, which joins the movement between the connecting device in the tag, to the tag 8. The tag with the thread guided before the start of the machine to a transportation lever l l, is guided by hand during the operation of the machine, through the oscillating lever 11 along a bag from the incoming foil hose. This takes place with the means disclosed in FIGS. 8 to 15a.

As can be ascertained from FIG. 8, in the station II between two transportation steps, a foil hose 49 equipped with filling material is tangentially brought towards the transportation disc 1, whereby the arms 14 and 15 of the holding chamber are opened. As already described and shown, the clamp arm 15 holds thereby the holding thread 25, and the arm 14, the'tag 8. The transportation disc 1 is equipped with cuts 51 and an elevation 52 for the formation of the bottom fold. In the latter, the hose section 50 separated by a cutting device 53, is pressed in by a correspondingly formed stamp 54, whereby thereafter clamp arms 14 and 15 are pulled upwardly. By this arrangement the thread 25 winds around the bag, as it is shown for instance, in FIG. 6. Since the winding of the thread about the bag is longer, than in the stretched position from the holding slot 22 up to the bag pocket 24 (compare FIG. 4), the missing thread is pulled through a slot 22 during the pulling up, and thereby strongly engages the bag.

For the further handling of the bag thereafter, the transportation disc 1 is rotated further for 90, so that the half finished bag with the thread and the tag reaches the station III. Here the forming and the closing of the bag head, as well as the attachment of the holding thread to the bag takes place.

Theses steps are shown in FIGS. 11 to 11d, whereby for a better demonstration, the bag and the holding bar are not shown. A form member is provided on the clamp arm 14, on which form member the bag engages with its upper part. Furthermore two lateral folding sheets 56 nd 57 are provided, the movement of which is controlled by means shown in FIG. 10. The movement performance of the folding sheets 56 and 57 can be ascertained from FIGS. 11, 11a and 11b. Thereby the folding sheets guide, at first, a movement in the direction of the arrow D and fold thereby the upper shoulders 58 (FIG. 12) of the bag 60 at a right angle, forwardly, over the edges of the form member 55. From the position in FIG. 11a, the folding sheets 56 and 57 are moved in the direction of the arrow E relative to each other, into the position shown in FIG. 11b, so that the bag shoulders are completely folded over FIGS. 13 and 13a. The thus formed head part 61 of the bag is then bent forwardly over the upper edge of the two fold sheets 56 and 57 for 90, which folding sheet moves in the direction of the arrow F (FIGS. 11d as well as FIGS. 14 and 14a).

In order to control the steps, the control means shown in FIGS. 9 and are used. A ram 64 is axially movably guided in a shaft 63, which ram 64 with its one end operates the arms 66swingable about the axis 65, which arm 66 is coupled by means of a gearing 67 with a further swinging arm 68, which is swingable about the axis 69. These arms carry the folding sheets 56 and 57, the movements of which are indicated by the arrows E,

' lead the folding sheets 56 and 57 towards each other or from each other, respectively.

Furthermore the shaft 63 is equipped with a plate 79 in which the axes 65 and 69 are secured. By this arrangement upon rotation of the shaft 63, the arms 66 and 68 with the folding sheets 56 and 57 can perform the folding movement marked with arrow D in FIG. 11 over the form member (not shown in FIG. 10). The folding movement is controlled by a cam 70, the control movements of which are transmitted by means of a lever 71 onto the shaft 63. A cam 72 serves for the control of the arm movements (arrow E) and the ram 64. The two cams and 72 are forcibly connected in driving connection by means of an angular drive 73.

On the shaft 74 of the cam 70, still a further cam 75 is provided, which transmits its control movements over the lever 76 onto the shaft 77. On the latter there is is secured the lever 78, which carries the folding sheet 2, the control movements of which are explained in the direction of the arrow F in connection with FIGS. 11c and 11d.

FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of the parts explained in connection with FIG. 10 in station III, whereby the connection device 80 serves for engaging the thread to the bag.

When the bag 60 has obtained the shape shown in FIGS. 14 and 14a, the controlled holding device 80 slides with a slit 81 over the bag head and brings the upper edge 82 with the thread member 36 into the closing position shown in FIG. 15, whereby the tag 8 is disposed below the edge 82. Thereafter the engagement procedure takes place, whereby the engagement clamp 86 is pushed through the folded head part 61 of the bag. It is thereby unnecessary for the further operation, to engage the tag, as shown in FIG. 7, with its thread end, onto the bag. This thread member can also be bent over the edge of the tag, whereby the connection thread-tag is improved. This thread turnover can be performed in the tag station I, by the device shown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18. Here, after a separation from the strand 6 the tag is displaced by one of the separating knives 7 in front of the engagement device 9 (arrows GH). Behind the thread 10, which passes between the engagement head and the tag, there is disposed an entangling member 83, in the eye 87 of which, the thread is guided. The member 83 winds the thread 10 about the edge of the tag 8 (FIG. 17). Thereafter the engagement of the thread on both sides of the tag takes place, and the latter then moves the bag again in its original position (FIG. 18), still prior to its separation and lifting of the new tag.

After the above described forming and closure formation of the bag head with engagement of the thread, the finished bag is brought to the station IV by rotation of the transportation disc. There, the bag together with the tag is gripped by tongs (compare FIG. 8,) and upon the opening of the holding clamp 14 and 15 is removed therefrom. At the point where the tongs must pass through the bag head closure, the form member 55 is recessed. Its recess is dimensioned such that the tag can be still gripped by the tongs and can be removed from its pocket 24. Y

The control of the movement to be performed by the arms 14'and 15 of the holding clamp takes place, as shown in FIG. 8, by a cam disc 84, in iso-axis with the transport disc 1, on the control edge of the cam disc 84, being engaged to a sensing lever of each holding clamp. The latter leads, upon rotation of the transportation disc, corresponding swinging movements which are transmitted towards the clamp arm 15 and from the latter also (over the gear 26, FIG. 2) onto the arm 14.

From the station 13 IV of the rotation disc 1, the step-wise rotary movement of which determines the cycle of the functions described below, the finished bag 30 is removed by means of the tongs 90 and is inserted into a transporting channel 91. In order to be able to deposit the bag 30 still in the station 13 III, in the changuide path 12 to a holding clamp 13 I, which comprises both clamp arms 14 and 15 and which is coordinated to each station. These further clamps are indicated in their prevailing positions with the designations 13 II, 13 Ill and 13 IV.

The function of the transportation lever II can be controlled for example in such manner, that as it is shown in FIG. 8, this reciprocating movement is ef-' fected by a control cam 16, which moves the lever 17, connected with the transportation lever II, against a spring effect, within the cycle of the machine. The gripping and release of the tag 8, required simultaneously, is caused by a further lever 18, by means of a rod 19, the movements of which are controlled by the cam over the lever 20'. The transportation lever II slides the tag, which is fed into a pocket 24 of the clamp arm 14, and moves back when empty. During the transportation movement of the lever II, the thread 10 is pulled, whereby the new separated tag is fed up to a point I where it is gripped by the transportation lever 11 during its next transportation stroke. So that during the following rotation of the transportation disc 1, the following tag is not pulled beyond the thread 10, immediately prior to the start of this rotation, the separation of the thread by the cutting device 21 takes place. By this arrangement each tag receives at its forward end, a piece of thread 25, the length of which can be determined by the geometric machine dimensions (FIG. 2). This piece of thread is at first wound around the tag and is caught during insertion of the tag into the clamp arm 14 in a slot 22 of the clamp arm 15. Thus the thread suspended from the tag 8 with its long end crosses the space between the clarnp arms 14 and 15. As can be determined from FIG. 3, the slot 22 in the clamp arm 15 can be closed by a controlled, displaceable or resilient thread holder 23, so that the thread member is retained during further rotation of the transportation disc in the slot, and remains nevertheless displaceably in a longitudinal direction.

In the clamp arm 14 is the insertion opening 24 for the tag 8 (FIG. 3).

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 2a, 2b the further performance is shown during the transportation of the tag 8 with the thread member 25 from the station I to station II.

During the start of the further movement of the transportation disc I in direction of the arrow (FIG. 2,) the thread portion 25 is disposed in the slot 26 still outside of the thread holder 23. Upon continued rotation, as soon as the thread penetrates deeper into the slot 26 (FIG. 2a), the thread holder 23 is inserted, so that now the inserting clamp can open (FIG. 2b), without any possibility that the thread 25 can leave its holder'22 and 23. The two clamp arms 14 and 15 can be forcibly coupled, for example, by means of gears 26, so that the operation of one arm causes an opening-and closing-movement, respecitively, of the clamp. In FIG. 2b the holding clamp is completely opened.

If in this state of the holding clamp 13, the station I] is reached, again a short standing-still of the transportation disc occurs, whereby when the holding clamp 13 IV (FIG. 1) has reached the station I, in which the already described connection between the thread and the tag takes place. Simultaneously now, as shown in FIGS. 4, 4a and 4b, between the opened clamp arms 14 and 15, a filled and sealed flap bag 30 is inserted. For this purpose, a guide chamber 31 is controlled within the cycle of the machine is used, the one wall 32 of the guide chamber 31 bends in the thread 25 and which penetrates so far (FIG. 4a), that in the following closing of the clamp arms 14 and 15, the tag 8 is disposed within the range of the upper sealing edge of the bag 30, thereby, however, on the sealing edge of the bag still sufficient space remains for the attaching of the thread.

Following, the guide chamber 31 is removed upwardly, (FIG.4b) whereby small control tongs 33 are provided, which retain the bag at the lower edge,-=so that now the bag 30 wound V-like by the thread is retained with the tag 8 by the clamp arms 14 and 15.

After these steps, the transportation disc is again further rotated for until the station III is reached. This position is shown in FIGS. 6, 6a and 6b. In this arrangement, the bag edge 34 with the tag and the thread is clamped between the two arms 14 and 15, whereby the thread member 35 projecting beyond the tag 8 reaches up to about the upper bag edge, while the other thread end 36 projects over the bag edge 34 for about 2 cm.

The connection of the threads 25 and 36 provided in the station III takes place by means of the connection device 37 in the following manner:

At first a controlled holder 38 is set from the outside in the direction of the arrow R up to beyond the bag edge 34 and is moved thereafter tangentially to the rotary circle of the transportation disc in arrow direction T, whereby the thread end 36 is bound about for a right angle about the bag edge 34 (FIG. 6a). Now the connecting device 37 slides over the bag edge (FIG. 6b), so that the thread end 36 is bound completely about the bag edge. In this position the connecting device 37 pushes a connecting clamp 39 through the bag edge 34, whereby the thread 36 is attached. Furthermore the clamp 39 surrounds, with an stitching clamp arm 40, the thread portion 35 extending beyond the tag 8 (FIG. 7), which, however, is not to be pushed as strongly as the thread 36 through the other arm 41. By this arrangement the connection shown in FIG. 7 is created, in which the holding thread 25, with its end winding over the bag edge, is secured at the bag edge 34, whereby with the same clamp 39, also the free thread end 35 of the tag 8 is provided on the bag and easily to be pulled out.

After the connecting process, the transportation disc 1 rotates for 90 further to the station IV, whereby simultaneously also the other stations for performing of the described steps, move further for one station. The bag equipped with a tag is in the station IV (FIG. 8) freed by opening of the clamp arms 14 and 15, so that it is stripped by tongs 42 and can be removed from the transportation path. The tongs 43 and 44 are controlled by cams 45 and 46 over levers 47 and 48. The former grip the bag, together with the thread and the tag, whereby the thread is pulled from the eye 22, and the tag 8 from its pocket 24 is drawn in the clamp arm 14 (see for example FIG. 3). The bag can now be further transported in known manner by means of a conveyor band or directly to a cardboard device, bag turnove station or other working stations. I

In accordance with the same principle, as it has been described above, for simple bags equipped with a sealed edge, the attachment of the tag can also be performed in connection with double chamber bags with a bottom fold. In this case the stations II and III are used thereby for the purpose to form and to close the bag feeding and the tongs 93 for 9 nel, a previousbag must be transported away, for which reason a slide 92 is provided. By further tongs 93, foil strips arriving from the storage roller 94 over the guide rollers 95 are pulled into the channel 91, whereupon the member 96 required for the wrapping of the bag is separated from the strip by a separating device 97. On-

this separating device, for instance, of a scissors, a resilient holder (not shown) conventionally disposed in cell glass folding machines, prevents the from foil falling down after the cutting. Furthermore it is caused, thereby, that the foil is released only, when a pulling effeet is exerted by the bag. Furthermore in an arrangement shown in FIGS. 19 to 22, at the end of the transportation channel 91, a guide rod 98 movable parallel to the bag is provided, which is equipped with a U- shaped bow 99 and which can be reciprocated within the working cycle of the machine. In the movement range of this bow the channel 91 has an angular arrangement, which forms jointly with the U-bow 99 a guide split 100. Below the split are disposed the transportation elements, for example, knurled rollers 101, which serve thelateral closure of the wrapping.

The functions of these structural elements are explained in connection with FIGS. -22. In FIG. 20 the bag is displaced by the slide 92 in the channel 91, as far crosswise to the foil 96, that the latter is wound U-like around the bag. Thereafter the guide rod 98 with the bow 99 is moved against the bag, so that as shown in FIG. 3, by the bow 99 the upper part 102 of the wrapping is completely wound around a bag.

During the further movement of the rod 98 (FIG. 4,) the bag with the wrapping is guided into the slot 100 of the channel 91, whereby the lower part 103 of the wrapping engages the bag. By this arrangement the wrapping process is terminated. The tongs 90 for the the foil strip 149 are again arranged upwardly; the working step shown in FIG. 1 is now ready to start.

.. In the further process of this transportation movement, the wrapping is gripped by the knurled rollers and is laterally closed. In the present case the knurled rollers 101 can be present continuously independently, whereby they depositthe wrapped bag, without accompanying the transportation elements 98 and 99 into a following transportation channel or onto a conveyor band, where they are transported for further working (by example, staple formation, cardboard wrapping or the like).

Referring now to FIG. 23 a variation of a transportation element is disclosed, which can'be applied instead of the described element 98 and 99 For the purpose of a simple demonstration, one starts with a premise that the transportation element 105'swings about the rotary axis 106.

On the shaft 107 there is rotatably provided a tumbler lever 108, which can be retained by means of a braking device, by example, a friction brake 115. At the outer end of the tumbler there lever is arranged a double lever with'arms l09 and 110 mounted in a roaxis 111. The arm 109 of this double lever is provided as a folding over flap for the upper part 102 of the wrapping foil, while the other arm is equipped with a roller 1 l2.

' The roller 112 runs in a slot 113 (or a groove) of another tumbler lever1l4, which'is secured on a rotary shaft 107. In addition, between the lever arm 110 cartying the roller arm 112 and the tumbler arm lever 108 there is provided a pulling spring 116.

The described transportation element operates in such a manner that upon rotation of the shaft 107, at first a tumbler lever 114 is moved downwardly, whereby over the slot 113 the arm of the double lever swings, so that the turnover flap of the arm 109 grips the upper part 102 of the foil and engages the latter with the bag 30, whereby the pulling spring 116, which moves away during the movement of the tumbler lever over the rotary point 111, increases the holding effect. The bag 30 supports itself at an engagement face 123 of the tumbler lever 108. During the further movement of the tumbler lever 114, now also, the force of the brake 115 is overcome, and the tumbler lever 108 is joined for movement. By this arrangement, the transportation of the bag takes place, as described above, by means of the guide split 100 ment of the lower foil part 103 on the bag 30.

Referring now again to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 24. another embodiment of the transportation element as shown in FIG. 23, is disclosed. In this arrangement the swinging lever 118 is rigidly provided on the shaft 107 and carries a swingable double lever, one arm 1 19 of which operates a turnover flap for the upper foil part 102, while the other arm 120 is controllable by means of a rod 121 by a swingably control lever 122. This arrangement requires two controlled movement pulses, and offers, however, the advantage of an additional safety element, which operates exclusively by the operation of the engaging forces. The transportation element of FIG. 24 is shown in its operative state, in which the upper foil part 102 engages the bag 30, and the further movement to the guide split 100 (FIG. 22) is about to start directly.

FIG. 25 shows how the foil tongs 93 are designed in accordance with the present invention. The rigid arm 124 of the tongs is secured by means of a web 125 on a gear rack 126. The movable arm 127 of the tongs is provided swingably on the gear rack 126 by a shaft 128. The arm 127 of the movable tongs arm 127 is charged in a closing direction by means of a pulling spring 129, whereby the opening of the tongs takes place by means of a ruler 130 which rotates the shaft 128 by means of a lever 131.

, The gear rack 126 meshes with a gear 132, the shaft of which is connected by means of a free wheel with the transportation roller (not shown) for the foil, so that Q the transportation roller is rotatable in the transportation direction of the gear rack and of the tongs 124 and 127, respectively, and however, stands still during the return stroke of the gear rack 126. This device assures a damage free transportation of the foil strip also in case of high working speeds.

FIGS. 26,27 and 28 relate to the inventive design of the slide 92. As already mentioned, it must be taken into consideration, that the movement path of the slide and the paths of the bag and the foil tongs cross each other. For this reason the slide 92 is formed in accordance with the present invention, as a frame 135, which is open at the end side, and between its frame parts has a free space for the passage of the bag tongs90 and the foil tongs 93.

The slide frame is at the end side equipped with an open pocket 134, which is formed by the bottom wall 136, the side walls 137 and the back walls 138, and serves the reception of the bag 30.

(FIG. 4) and the engage- In front of the slide 92 there is provided an accompanying frame 139, which can press on the slide, it it is moved against the latter. Also the accompanying frame is recessed within the range of the movement of the tongs. It is controlled such, that it remains in front of the foil strip 96, until the foil is separated to the right length by the separation device 97 (FIG. 19) and the bag is inserted into the channel 91 (FIG. 19).

Thereafter the accompanying frame 139 is moved towards the slide 92 so far, until the foil 96 between the extensions 140 of the accompanying frame and the end facesof the slide 92 are clamped and cannot be displaced anymore. By this arrangement the foil 96 closes the pocket of the slide forwardly, so that the bag 30 is fixed in the pocket for the transportation in the channel 91 and thereby is surrounded by the likewise fixed foil member 96 at the right points.

It can be ascertained from FIG. 27, in which a front elevation of the slide 92 is shown, that in accordance with the present invention it can be provided, that the side walls 137 and the slide walls connected therewith, respectively, can swing out laterally. For this purpose, the walls are equipped with levers 141 which can swing due to the effect of a control plate 141 and the slide walls move in cross direction. The control plate 141a is equipped with a rod 142, which moves with the slide.

Furthermore, it is shown in FIG. 27, that the back wall of the slide 92 has a recess 143, the depth of which is dimensioned such, that the upper foil part 102 would reach toward the foil over the slide pocket 134.

With the arrangement in accordance with FIG. 27 it is brought about that first, after the wrapping by means of the transportation element (by example 105, FIG. 23) and retaining of the bag, the side walls of the slide swing out and can be withdrawn without interference from the wound around foil part 102.

FIG. 28 shows still another embodiment of the pocket 134 in the slide 92. Here a moving out of the slide walls in accordance with FIG. 27 is not required.

This is obtained'in accordance with the present invention such, that the slide, walls 135 are used in upward direction such, that the slide after the gripping of the bag by the lever and the turnover flap 109 and 1 19, respectively, (FIGS. 23 and 24, respectively) can still roll out of the yielding foil wrapper without pennanently deforming or damaging the latter. Nevertheless, only the reduced walls permit the retaining of the foil member 96 in its entire length during the transportation of the bag 30 in the pocket 135, which would not be achieved if the walls would be recessed so far that the upper foil-binding edge 102 extends.

The lower bend of the slide frame is equipped with inclinations 137a, since also the bag head, is disposed there in lateral inclinations.

FIG. 29 shows an apparatus for prefolding of the foil strip 149. This apparatus is disposed in front of the guide roller 95 (FIG. 22) and comprises a matrix 145 and a stamp 146. On the folding points of the foil there are provided in the matrix slots 147 and in the stamp, pressure webs 148. The latter are guided together with the foil disposed therebetween and result in clear folding groups. I

As a particular advantage of the wrapping device of the present invention, it should be emphasized, that it can be designed constructively such, that all larger movements can be derived from cranks, and merely the very short stroke movements, a scissors operation, or

tongs operation, and under circumstances, the movement of the tumbler lever 114 (FIG. 23) can be derived from other controls. It results therefrom that wear causing and speeds retarding long stroke paths can be performed with high speed and safety. Small strokes can be taken up by cams, also in case of great speeds in a sufiiciently safe manner.

In accordance with FIG. 30, the additional device comprises substantially a rotary head 150 for the tag 8, which is provided on an immovably mounted shaft 151 and which has a receiving chamber 152 for the tag.

The shaft 151 is with a lever 153 which for instance is controlled in a reciprocating manner in the cycle of a machine by means of a cam disc 154, and thereby by swinging movements of 90, brings a rotary head into the two shown positions a, b.

In the plane of the position b of the rotary head, a ram 155 is linearly movably guided, which likewise is reciprocated by a controlled cam disc (not shown) or over a lever rod system, within the cycleof the machine. Furthermore scissors 156 are provided, which in a controlling manner can swing and serve for cutting of the holding thread at the point demonstrated in FIG. 31.

The two arms 14 and 15 are indicated in the holding clamp 13 of the transportation disc, whereby the arm 14 is equipped with a receiving packet for the tag 8 and arm 15 with a slot 22, as well as the control thread holder 23. The feeding of the tag takes place by means of a guiding channel 157, by means of transportation clasps 158, for the movement path of which the channel wall is equipped with an opening 159. The transportation claws 158 are guided in a longitudinal guide (not shown) and driven within the cycle of the machine. Also the control of the swinging movement of the claw takes place by means of known means, by example, by means of a trailing lever 160, which is pivoted by means of an axle 161 on the claw. The trailing lever is moved in known manner, for instance by a controlled guide roller 162 in corresponding manner.

Later'ally from the guide channel 157 there are swingably mounted two thread tongs 163 and 164 on axle 165. They are controlled by means of levers 163 and 164 by means of a cam disc 166 and 167, whereby these discs rotate only with the half number of revolutions of the machine and the tongs move in a counter cycle. The movement paths of the tongs 163 and 164 are arranged such, that they do not engage during the operation. For this purpose, the tongs, for example, can be provided crosswise to the operation plane at the levers 163' and 164' in a manner to be turned away, whereby they are pulled by springs into the thread plane and are moved out by an immovable control cam in its position of its meeting for avoiding collision.

In order that the tongs can grip the thread in the guide channel 157, the latter is equipped with a lateral opening 168.

The apparatus in FIG. 30 is shown in a state, in which the tag has'been subjected to slide in with attached holding thread 25, just now, into the guide channel 157.

The thread 25 is gripped by the tongs 163 and pulled out of the guide channel 157, while the tag 8 is moved through the claw 158 into the receiving space 152 of the rotary head 150.

As can be ascertained from FIG. 31, the following tag has reached the ready position B, if the previous tag has 

1. A machine for equipment of tea bags with a tag and a holding string, comprising devices operating in the machine cycle for feeding in filled bags and bag material, respectively, and tags into the machine, and for removal of the finished bags from the machine, a path closing in itself for transportation of the finished tea bags through a plurality of individual working stations, a transportation disc providing said path, a holding clamp arranged for each of said working stations on said transportation disc, means for controlling opening and closing movements of said holding clamp within the cycle of the machine, said holding clamp having two arms, one of said arms having a pocket for the reception of said tag equipped with a thread, the other of said arms having a slot with a thread holder, a transportation lever, said transportation lever sliding in said tag equipped with said holding thread in one of said stations along a guide into said pocket such, that one end of said thread being caught by said slot.
 2. The machine, as set forth in claim 1, which includes means for feeding said bags between said clamp arms in another of said stations while said holding clamp is in its open position, and means for forming a closing movement of said clamp arms for winding said thread about said bag.
 3. The machine, as set forth in claim 2, which includes a guide chamber containing said bag and movable radially relative to said transportation disc, in order to slide in said bag in its filled and closed state in another of said working stations between said arms of said holding clamp, and said guide chamber has a side wall which extends said bag such, that said thread is tightened in V-shape.
 4. The machine, as set forth in claim 3, which includes controlled tongs which retain said bag with said thread wound thereover upon drawing out said guide chamber, while said tag remains in said pocket.
 5. The machine, as set forth in claim 1, which includes an entangling member having an eye formation, means for laying said thread in one of said stations over said entangling member and for guiding said thread through said eye formation, a skein of tags including a plurality of tags, a thread stitching device, means for separating one of said tags from said skein of tags and for engagement with said thread stitching device, in order to cause a swinging movement of said entangling member with said thread over the edge of said tag, so that said thread is attached on both sides of the tag.
 6. The machine, as set forth in claim 5, which includes means for performing a controlled movement of said separation means for said skein of tags in a direction towards said thread stitching device, so that the separated tag can be transported in front of said thread stitching device.
 7. The machine, as set forth in claim 5, which includes a stitching unit as well as a folder disposed in one of said working stations, said folder bending the free end of said holding thread projecting over the edge of said bag, so that it can be put to the other side of the edge of said bag and the stitching procedure causes simultaneously the attachment of the long holding thread and of the short holding thread projecting over said tag, whereby a stitching clamp arm for said short thread is pressed on weaker than an other arm for the securing of the longer thread on said bag, and whereby a stitching clamp strap grips on one side said long thread and the stiching clamp arms, on the other bag side grip said short thread ends.
 8. The machine, as set forth in claim 6, which includes means for the production of double chamber bags, whereby in one of said working stations a hose produced before and filled is fed thereto and deformed to create said double chamber bag with a bottom fold, which comprises lateral form members and lateral fold sheets which form a head part by folding shoulder part of said bag in one of said stations, said stitching unit forming a head closure by folding of said head part in another of said stations such, that the upper part of said tag comes to stay below the bent over head closure and the attachment of said holding thread on both sides of said head closure takes place by a stitching clamp.
 9. The machine, as set forth in claim 8, wherein both said lateral folding sheets form a folding edge for bending over said head part upon folding over said shoulders of said bag.
 10. The machine, as set forth in claim 9, wherein a recess is defined between said form members, so that for the removal of the finished bag in still another of said working stations said bag jointly with said tag is gripped by delivery tongs.
 11. The machine, as set forth in claim 1, which includes guide means operatively connected with a bag-removal station, said guide means receiving said bag in the operating cycle of said machine, a means supplying separable foil strip, a transportation channel, said foil strip is guided in the movement range of said machine for wrapping about said bag into said transportation channel, said bag being capable of sliding in crosswise into said transportation channel, so that said foil strip winds itself U-like about said bag, a transportation element engaging one part of said U-like arranged wrapping onto said bag and thereafter passing through a guide split, so that the other part of said wrapping likewise engages, a closing device, and said wrapper is inserted in said closing device, the latter being a knurled wheel.
 12. The machine, as set forth in claim 11, which includes a reciprocating guide rod disposed in the transportation path of said bag, said guide rod is equipped at its end with a U-shaped bow which overlaps said bag with said U-like arranged wrapping and during a working stroke engages one part of said wrapping and guides said bag into a guide slot.
 13. The machine, as set forth in claim 11, which includes a turn-over flap on said transportation element for engagement of said foil with said bag, a two-armed lever, a rotatable first tumbler lever having an axle, said turn-over flap is pivoted as a part of said two-armed lever to said rotatable tumbler lever, a second tumbler lever having a slot, another lever is guided in said slot of said second tumbler lever, said second tumbler lever is iso-axle with said first tumbler lever, said first tumbler lever has a braking means which is arranged such, that said first tumbler lever remains blocked, until said turn-over flap has engaged one part of said wrapping foil on said bag.
 14. The machine, as set forth in claim 11, which includes a control lever serving the control of said turn-over flap, and said control lever effective as a tumbler lever is rigidly connected with its rotary shaft.
 15. The machine, as set forth in claim 11, which includes gripping tongs for the feeding transportation of said foil strip in a reciprocating gear rack, said gripping tongs is secured to said gear rack operating the transportation roller for the foil by means of a gear having free wheeling, so that the rotation of said transportation roller and the movement of said tongs accompanying said foil is performed synchronously.
 16. The machine, as set forth in claim 11, which includes a slide moving said bag through a transportation channel and comprises a frame having a head side which is open and includes bottom, side and rear walls as a pocket to form a pocket for receiving said bag, an accompanying frame movable relative to the slide frame in transportation direction and has head-sided angular formations, with which said foil separated along its length can be clamped tight on the slide frame.
 17. The machine, as set forth in claim 16, wherein the walls forming the transportation pocket are swingable crosswise to the transportation device of said bag to both sides, so that they can be pulled out without obstruction through the bent-over foil part.
 18. The machine, as set forth in claim 17, wherein said side walls of said transportation slide are reduced outwardly and the back wall of said pocket can be withdrawn without damage after retaining the wrapping foils.
 19. The machine, as set forth in claim 18, which includes a device consisting of a stamp and a matrix for prefolding of said wrapping foil in front of the transportation rollers, and said foil is pressed against slots in the machine cycle by means of pressure rails.
 20. The machine, as set forth in claim 1, which includes a device disposed at the end of the guide path for said tag and in front of said holding clamps said tag with a thread being slidable into said device, and the device causes one rotation, so that said thread winds itself about said tag corresponding with the rotary angle, and a controlled ram which slides said tag thereafter into said holding clamps.
 21. The machine, as set forth in claim 20, wherein a device for rotation of said tag comprises a rotary head connected with a shaft which performs a rotary reciprocating movement by means of a cam within the cycle of the machine over an angle of about 90*.
 22. The machine, as set forth in claim 21, which includes two thread tongs which grip alternately said threads prior to the insertion of said tag into said rotary head in half of the machine cycle and pull out of the guide, so that said thread winds over the front edge of said tag during the insert movement into said rotary head. 